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Utah Jazz: Mitchell outduels Westbrook in thriller, Jazz advance

By Zachary Padmore

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 27: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz guards against Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first half during Game Six of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 27, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 27: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz guards against Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first half during Game Six of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 27, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /
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The Utah Jazz defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night, advancing to the second round to take on the Houston Rockets. Donovan Mitchell was sensational, and had an epic duel with Russell Westbrook.

What a game. These are the kind of games you love to watch as a fan. I may have no more fingernails and my heart may have been beating a mile a minute, but hey, the Utah Jazz are headed to the second round for a date with James Harden and the Houston Rockets.

Donovan Mitchell and Russell Westbrook both put on a show. Westbrook gave it his all, like he always does, but it wasn’t enough. Meanwhile, the rookie dropped 38 points on 14-of-26 shooting, leading the Jazz to victory.

As for Westbrook, the reigning NBA MVP scored 46 points in this one, but shot 18-of-43 from the field. Down by three points with under one minute left, the Thunder proceeded to grab five consecutive offensive rebounds, but couldn’t come up with the game-tying triple.

There was a controversial no-call on Paul George’s 3-point attempt with 18 seconds remaining. He pump faked, and Rudy Gobert went flying into him. However, the referees didn’t bite, and Mitchell sank two free throws to ice the game, sending Utah to the second round.

Ricky Rubio started, but only played seven minutes. He left the game and did not return after dealing with left hamstring soreness. This hammy has given Rubio problems since the last few weeks of the regular season.

It will be interesting to see his status for Game 1 in Houston. He’ll have one day to rest the injury before tipping off in Houston on Sunday afternoon.

With Rubio out for most of the game, the Jazz got some really good minutes from Alec Burks, who has been out of the rotation. AB finished with 11 points in 16 minutes off the bench. Donovan Mitchell gave him a shout out after the games conclusion. He stepped up and knocked down some timely buckets.

Oklahoma City has quite an interesting offseason ahead of them. Paul George may have played his final game in a Thunder jersey. He only scored five points on 2-of-16 shooting against Utah in Game 6. Carmelo Anthony only played 25 minutes, and it’s clear OKC was better with him off the floor.

A lot of people counted the Jazz out. They were 19-28 at one point in the season, but completely turned it around. They won 48 games in the regular season, and are now on to the second round of the playoffs. Regardless of the outcome, this has been an incredible season for the Jazz, and a season that fans should be extremely proud of.

Game 1 against Houston will be on Sunday at 1:30 MT. James Harden and the Rockets have been balling all year long, and this will be a big test for this young Jazz team.

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